Dear Daddy

It's been almost over 3yrs since you've gone. Sometimes when something really special happens, I long to pick up the phone and call you. I know you had to leave, but did you have to leave the month before our visit? I really wanted you to see our home outside of that basement. I had it all planned, how you would tour the apartment and then we would walk down by the river and laugh until the sunset. It hurt so bad that day! I walked to the river alone and cried until the sunset.

You and I had so much in common. I never seemed to fit anywhere with mother. I was always your baby girl. Who am I now? Nobody wraps his arm around me and brags that I'm his baby. Nobody can tell me what's wrong with my car over the telephone. My daughter only has one single grandmother left, no grandpa's to teach her anything.

The world isn't the same without you. I know your customers would agree. You were the best of the best!

Looking back over the years, I was "daddy's girl", "daddy's baby", "daddy's helper", my identity was wrapped up in you. Besides my own child,and my best friend (also gone), you were my world! We fought so much and said things that cut each other to the bone, but only because we were so much alike! I love birding and photography just like you did. I wish you could see my work. I wonder if it would make you proud. I could get lost in a paper sack, even to this day. They have devices now to help folks like you and me, but our vehicles are outdated and we don't have them. I have my own system, its called "drive and pray". Eventually, I do find my way back home, or at least I have so far.

Well, I just wanted to take a moment to say hello. I hope you can read this in Heaven. Your Baby, is doing well. I'm writing have written a book and trying to enjoy the few loved ones I have left. I strive each day to be a good wife and single
mom. Somedays though, the grief just hits out of nowhere. I miss your hugs Daddy, but I'm trying to imagine you giving me one now and bragging "this here is my baby!"